PAULTON Rovers travelled to Saltash for an important top end of the table clash, the full-blooded game ending in a 1-1 draw in the Premier Division of the Jewson Football League.

The first ten minutes saw Saltash twice test James Smallcombe in the Rovers goal. Rovers slowly worked thier way into the game but it still took until the 17th minute to get their first good chance. Dan McBeam danced around a couple of challengers before lashing a shot from the edge of the box that flew just over the bar.

It was then the turn of the Saltash keeper, Tyler Coombes, to pull off good saves. Rovers went close again in the 34th minute when Kailan Gould did well on the touchline to keep the ball in and square it to Kitan Jaiyeoba who knocked the ball over from close range.

So it was somewhat against the run of play that Saltash went ahead. A well worked move ended with a cross from the left that was turned in from close range by Jack Jefford.

Saltash had Rovers on the back foot early in the second half and a header in the opening seconds smashed off the crossbar. In the 57th minute they were again unlucky not to double the lead as they again hit the crossbar.

Rovers began to work their way into the game again though and the introduction of Joel Smedley and Elliot Haffenden paid off immediately with both players involved in the equaliser in the 64th minute. Haffenden did well on the right hanging up a perfect cross from the right and Jaiyeoba found himself clear to head the ball home.

There followed a long period of pressure from Rovers as they forced a number of corners. The Saltash defence managed to stay tight though and Rovers had to settle for a point.

Jon Green